In August of 2010, Quarterlife’s resident Fashion Guru Boe did a spotlight interview with an up and coming fashion designer in the world of Bridal. Since that interview, Faith Thornburg has been making headway and headlines with her latest designs that evoke romance and effortless beauty. As a graduating student from the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), Thornburg was chosen to participate in ELLE Magazine’s New York Fashion Week Competition against 25 other emerging designers in fashion.
Coming into Fashion Week, Thornburg was concerned with her chances as the lone bridal designer, but talent won out as she walked away from New York Fashion Week propelled into a bigger spotlight as the winner of the ELLE competition. Quarterlife Magazine caught up with the designer before her first big show for her new collection at Charleston Fashion Week:
Quarterlife Magazine: When did you know designing was your passion/dream?
Faith Thornburg: I’d say I grew an interest in design in middle school, not necessarily fashion design, but just design, art, and creativity overall. By high school it grew into that passion and dream and continues to grow even today!
QM: Has it always been your dream to design bridal?
FT: Not exactly. I started college thinking I was just going to focus on ready-to-wear but quickly found that it wasn’t what I wanted. I got really discouraged and contemplated switching majors when it suddenly hit me – I’ve always been drawn to bridal and that’s where my real passion was. For some reason I never thought to put my focus there because it was something I enjoyed so much, almost like it was too good to be true! From then on, everything I did was centered around bridal and evening wear.
QM: Coming up through SCAD, did you ever consider switching back to a full womens-wear collection?
FT: You mean did I think of discontinuing bridal and switching to ready-to-wear only? Never. As soon as I discovered my passion was in bridal wear, I never looked back on anything else.
QM: Was winning ELLE’s NY Fashion Week competition the “realization” of your dreams?
FT: In a way, yes. Honestly though, I never even dreamed of making it to NY Fashion Week. It seemed so unreal and I tried to create realistic goals for myself. One of the biggest things I’ve learn
ed from my journey with Elle is to stop doubting myself. I still struggle with that but it’s definitely taught me to be confident in my designs and to not be afraid of any dream. You never know what could happen!
QM: Is there a chance your passion could change to design something different in the future?
FT: Possibly. I probably won’t ever do a swimwear collection or anything but whatever I’m passionate about, I’ll go for it. You never know where your path will take you. For now though, I’ll stick with designing some amazing white dresses.
QM: This is your first full collection after winning ELLE’s NY Fashion Week competition. What was your biggest point of inspiration for this collection?
FT: Women are always my inspiration. I love meeting and hearing stories about extraordinary women beaming with confidence and beauty, and then imagining in my mind something they might wear. This collection is for that confident, feminine, and chic woman who’s not afraid of the world. When I think of this woman, I imagine the women of the 1920s and 30s, embarking on this incredible journey of change and power in the world. Velvet ribbons, flowing silk chiffons and georgettes that are sheer in just the right places (wink wink), textural laces and other fabrics will highlight the graceful yet sexy woman this collection was made for.
QM: Has your passion become work after winning in NY that you hadn’t felt with previous designs? Are there any added pressures?
FT: It definitely feels different designing now than it did before NY. I don’t know that I’d say there’s any added pressure, it’s just a different kind of pressure. Instead of working hard to impress professors and mentors, I’m working to impress clients. It is a little daunting to think that my critiques now come from the real fashion industry and not a classroom. I think what’s most exciting now than before is that when I make a gown, I’m making it for a real bride to wear on the most important day of her life and it’s not just another project to be graded on. It feels much more special and exciting now.
QM: What’s been the most exciting part of getting out a complete collection in 3 months? Project Runway style!
FT: It feels real now! If that even makes sense! The anticipation of seeing the final pieces on the runway has probably been the most exciting part. Not a day goes by that I don’t find myself daydreaming about seeing it with the lights, the music, the people. The past 6 months have been so surreal and incredible, teaching me so much about myself as a designer and developing a whole new passion and dream to run with. What could be more exciting than that?